Council Regular/Special Meeting

MINUTES OF THE GILBERT TOWN COUNCIL IN SPECIAL MEETING OF TUESDAY JANUARY 15, 2019 AT 8:00 AM, MUNICIPAL CENTER 1, ROOM 300, 50 E CIVIC CENTER DRIVE, GILBERT, ARIZONA COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Jenn Daniels, Vice Mayor Eddie Cook, Councilmembers Scott Anderson, Brigette Peterson, and Jordan Ray COUNCIL ABSENT: Councilmembers Jared Taylor and Aimee Yentes STAFF PRESENT: Manager Patrick Banger, Clerk Lisa Maxwell, Town Attorney Christopher Payne AGENDA ITEM CALL TO ORDER Vice Mayor Cook called the meeting to order at 8:06 a.m. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS Vice Mayor Cook welcomed everyone to the Good Government meeting. Everyone introduced themselves. Councilmember Scott Anderson arrived at 8:10. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS 1. Message from Salt River Project (SRP). Matt Streeper, Vice President for Business and Public Policy of the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce, asked Police Chief Soelberg to give the safety minute. Police Chief Soelberg encouraged everyone to slow down and move left whenever they saw a police or safety vehicle on the side of the road. 2. Presentation and Discussion on Business Priorities: a) Highlight of 2019 Business Priorities; b) East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance (EVCCA) Legislative Priorities; and c) Foundation Statistics Kathy Tilque, President and CEO of the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce, noted the Chamber is celebrating their 40th anniversary. She stated many of the Chamber priorities are aligned with Town priorities. She listed those priorities:  Being a Catalyst for Business Growth – Advocacy which includes a pro-business 1  environment, Small Business Owners Growth Group, GEM Talks where entrepreneurs can tell their stories, a Procurement Expo and the Women’s Leadercast; Mayor Jenn Daniels joined the meeting 8:19 a.m.  Being a Convener of Leaders and Influencers by offering the topical Public Policy speaker’s Series, Workforce Development and Community Planning; and  Being a Champion for a Strong Gilbert including planning for long-term sustainability and Chamber Foundation programs. President Tilque reviewed pertinent Chamber statistics participation in events such as the round table with the Mayor, career shadowing opportunities, tours for teachers, and manufacturing months with students, President Tilque then reviewed the Chamber’s business priorities:  Environment for Business Growth with predictable, fair and reasonable fees, regulations and taxes, visibility and access for businesses during Town construction and the open data platform;  Well-Educated Workforce by balancing immediate employment needs with recruitment and new employers and continuing partnerships with business and education to ensure qualified pipeline of workers for the future; and  Long–Term Planning including the protection of commercial and industrial zoning, strategic investment in infrastructure, preservation of natural resources, and redevelopment of aging areas. President Tilque concluded by stating the East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance (EVCCA) priorities include election reform, workforce, education, taxation, and transportation. 3. Presentation and Discussion of Town of Gilbert Priorities a) Smart and Wise Community including Town of Gilbert steps/plans; b) Social Media Use including reach and engagement statistics; and c) Major Goals. Mayor Daniels thanked Town staff for their work. She stated the Town follows good financial management practices and they should receive their third AAA bond rating this year. The Town is focused on high quality infrastructure, finding ways to help citizens and businesses by using technology. The Town’s goal is to break the cycle of the rise and decline of cities. They hope to accomplish this by focusing on the quality of life of residents. Mayor Daniels asked the group what smart and wise decisions the Town needs to make today.  Planning for the improvement of streets and infrastructure – it would be helpful for businesses to know ahead of time when construction is planned so they can 2  plan for their operations during that construction.  Education – all levels of education are needed to provide businesses with an educated workforce.  Keeping young people involved in their community so they will return to Gilbert after they graduate.  Innovation between companies and the formation of partnerships.  Embracing diversity, the Arts, and incorporating festivals with the community.  Aerospace companies – they are reaching out for engineers but students need to be made aware there are jobs other than technical jobs available in areas such as compliance and finance. Mayor Daniels then discussed the use of social media to reach out to citizens where they are. The Town uses social media to be engaged with residents. She asked the group how they are using social media if there was anything the Town’s Digital Team could do to help them. Businesses need to be more involved to engage residents. It would be helpful if the Digital Team offered workshops for small businesses because they need to change the way they do social media;  It takes practice and regular updates to stay engaged and help residents  Younger people do not use Facebook and it is important to use different platforms so all groups are included.  People are afraid of change, technology, and exposure. It is important to think before you post.  Linked-in is social media for business professionals. The Town has used it successfully to recruitment for specialized positions.  The Town had an employee who was leaving post about her position in the job posting. It was helpful in recruiting for that position.  The Town should emphasize the various areas they are involved on a regional level, i.e. the Phoenix-Gateway airport.  Alignable is available for small business to join. Mayor Daniels listed the major goals and initiatives of the Town:  General plan update -- occurs every ten years and staff is currently doing background research and they will begin drafting chapters soon;  Land Development Code update – goal is to empower the people who enforce the Code and do inspections to make changes they need;  Building Code update – looking at the 2018 Code and currently seeking public input;  System Development Fees update – new homes pay for growth;  Public Safety Training Facility – need to remain safe community;  Gilbert Regional and Desert Sky Park – both in phase 1;  Heritage District;  Economic Development -- Business attraction and recruitment;  Transportation – commuter rail;  Prop 400 extension – planning for Prop 500; and 3   Long-term assured water supply – finalizing deal with San Carlos tribe. Mayor Daniels asked the group what was missing:  Balancing green space and celebrating agricultural heritage. Gilbert has higher open space requirements than most communities in this area;  What is Town’s basic purpose? Human connection and ensuring people receive the highest quality of services at efficient costs;  Maintain culture;  Strategic protection of industrial development and looking at vertical building;  Having facilities for seniors. Taking care of the homeless and under- privileged. There are homeless in gilbert but they are cared for by friends, family and faith groups. Families in crisis is a top priority of the Council;  A Redevelopment Plan for the NW corridor;  Guidelines and standards are important – everyone wants a quality community and things that don’t make sense need to be eliminated;  Transportation is changing -- drop off points and parking regulation; and  Property maintenance code – Councilmember Anderson’s goal WRAP-UP Mayor Daniels gave away a copy of the book Dare to Lead. ADJOURN Mayor Daniels adjourned the meeting at 9:29 a.m. ATTEST: ___________________________ ___________________________________ Jenn Daniels, Mayor Lisa Maxwell, MMC, Town Clerk CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the special meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Gilbert held on the 15th day of January, 2019. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. Dated this ____ day of ____________________. ___________________________________ Lisa Maxwell, MMC, Town Clerk 4